RESUMO
Matrix proteins play an important role in biomineralization by mollusks. In this study, we cloned and characterized an acidic protein (pI=3.36) homolog of cfMSP-1 that is highly expressed in the mantle transcriptome of the scallop Chlamys farreri. RT-PCR and in situ hybridization showed that cfMSP-1 is specifically expressed in the outer fold of the mantle edge and pallial part. The expression level of cfMSP-1 remarkably increased and then reduced gradually to a value that is ~2-fold higher than basal levels after shell notching. Knock-down expression of cfMSP-1 in adults via dsRNA injection gave a disordered folia surface. Both shell notching and RNAi experiments indicated that cfMSP-1 plays an essential role in the formation of the folia of C. farreri.